FUNimation will launch two new anime series in 2006, Negima and MoonPhase. Negima is based on the successful manga series by Ken Akamatsu (Love Hina), published in the U.S. by Del Rey. ICv2 ranked Negima, a 'harem' manga with lots of fan service in the tradition of Love Hina, as the 7th most popular manga property in the U.S. in its most recent ICv2 Retailers Guide to Manga (see 'Looking for the Next Big Thing in Manga').
Moonphase, which FUNimation plans to launch next summer, is a dark fairy tale based on the manga by Arima Keitaro. Tokyopop is launching the manga, which has done very well in Japan, under the title Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase in December. Tokyopop publisher Mike Kiley has identified Tsukuyomi: Moon Phase as one of its titles that has the best chance of reaching the success of its current bestseller, Fruits Basket (see 'Interview with Tokyopop Publisher Mike Kiley, Part 3').
